Delrin

March 31, 2009 1:19 PM

Is the polymer delrin suitable for artwork?

We are looking at producing some art works, the basis of which are sheets of "something" with thin cuts (~0.04", cut with a water jet). We've tested a few materials. Aluminum works nicely. Also, delrin. I have concerns about the aging characteristics of Delrin (or any other polymer). Will these discolor over time? If so, can anyone suggest something similar that will not? The artwork would be indoors.

posted by allelopath to media & arts (5 comments total)

Delrin is not UV stable, and will deteroriate, much faster in sunlight. UV-instability is what usually causes plastics (e.g., old macintoshes) to discolor. I think probably something else would be better.
posted by aubilenon at 1:26 PM on March 31

A UV stabilized PC (Lexan) such as this:

http://www.k-mac-plastics.net/polycarbonate-lexan-9304.htm

may suit your purpose.

What particular characteristics of Delrin and aluminum would you like in your alternate polymer?
posted by chiefthe at 2:29 PM on March 31

Take a look at the excellent McMaster-Carr Plastics section and see if their selection criteria help you. Picking plastics can be exceedingly frustrating for engineers because they are very heavily tailored for their applications, and you might not know what the tailoring did to properties that the generic material had. The more you know to ask the better off you're likely to be.
posted by jet_silver at 2:31 PM on March 31

Delrin is used in modern "historical" harpsichord plectra - I have worked with this stuff for decades. I even have a few bits of sheet left that date from the early sixties when I was a kid. It gets a bit yellow over time, but it takes a really long time for it to age through and through. So, if I scrape off the top layer with a cabinet scraper, the inside looks and behaves as new. Of course, direct UV is bad for almost anything.
Delrin is very stable but it work-hardens, and may, after years of bending and flexing, break off without warning.
posted by Namlit at 3:03 PM on March 31

Apparently, Lexan does not cut well, at least as finely as I need. It chips, according to the people at the machine shop.

Characteristics:
- Cuts cleanly, finely
- white stays white over time
- matte surface
posted by allelopath at 3:18 PM on April 1